I haven't tested itmyself (as I don't really have a need to use a text area) but you've tried changing this:
if ($config['CUSTOM_FIELD_1']) {
$CUSTOM_FIELD_1 = "
{$config['CUSTOM_FIELD_1']}
<br />
<input type=\"text\" name=\"CUSTOM_FIELD_1\" value=\"$CUSTOM_FIELD_1\" class=\"form-input\" />
<br />
<br />
";
}in scripts/editbasic.inc.php? It seems trivial, I'm just hoping that you tested the correct areas in your search.